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Show 388th commander speaks Are a matter of accountability out against ecstasy use By Col. John Weida 388th Fighter Wing commander By Lt. Gen. William Hobbins 12th Air Force commander other illegal substance. Twelve people in the 388th FW have been punished for purchasing, using or distributing ecstasy. While even one violation is too many, 2 people making the same mistake is unacceptable. If you think you can use ecstasy and not get caught you are wrong. If you think when you get caught you will not be severely punished, you are wrong. If you think ecstasy cant affect you, you are wrong. Experts believe that ecstasy is a neurotoxin that could lead to chronic depressions, schizophrenia and other neurological disorders. And, if you think that using ecstasy cant kill you, you are REALLY Over the past four months Ive had the distinct priviIt s lege of serving as the commander of 2th Air Force. a great organization with broad and varied missions. Ive always believed that airmen of all ranks, our civilian employees, and our families are the keys to our status as the worlds most respected aerospace force, and my visits throughout the command have reinforced that. On my travels to the wings. Ive seen great Americans serving under extraordinary circumstances. As members of the military, we are Americas most visible advocates for our national security interests. That means well put in a hard days work everyday and face uncommon risks. Thats part of our profession. . All to often, though, we find ourselves facing common risks that could and should be avoided. Recently, Ive become more concerned about DUI rates within the command. In October, we matched the highest number of DUIs on record for one month. While its too soon to call this a trend, I think its vital that we put a stop to drinking and driving. I have a zero tolerance policy on DUIs. There are several alternatives to drinking and driving, but the bottom line is driving under the influence is a matter of accountability. First, you must be accountable to yourself. You were brought into the Air Force for your ability to think and be responsible. You know full well that drinking and driving is wrong. It threatens your career, your safety, and your life. Choose not to do it! Second, you must be accountable to your friends and families. If they ve had too much to drink, you must have the character and courage to take care of them. Theres no excuse for losing a friend to a DUI. Thats a mark that stays on the record of your conscience for a lifetime. Third, you must be accountable to your command. The people you work with on a daily basis count on you, just as you count on them. Dont let them down by making an avoidable mistake. Every base within the command has a program in place to prevent drinking and driving. The options are there for you. No one should ever get behind the wheel after drink ing. If you need more information on the programs at your base, contact your supervisor, first sergeant, or your commander. Take care of yourselves, and take care of each other. 1 1 k Fifteen months confinement in a military prison, reduc- f tion in rank to airman basic, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a bad conduct discharge. These are just a few of the perks 12 members of the 388th Fighter Wing are enjoying as a result of their involvement with the drug ecstasy. Some have provided money to others for purchase, some have used the drug themselves and some have distributed it to others. But all have made bad decisions that impact both the 388th FW and themselves. In case there is any confusion, let me make something very clear. Ecstasy is dangerous and illegal. The difpunishment for involvement with ecstasy is no ferent than that of marijuana, LSD, cocaine or any wrong. know that sometimes people make mistakes. But, lets learn from the mistakes that have already been made by a few irresponsible people in the wing and not make them again. I command the greatest group of Americans in the Air Force. To maintain that momentum of success we must continue to use our heads, look out for each other and make the right decisions. I truly believe I Use proper to get problems resolved faster chain-of-comma- nd By Lt. Col. Ismael Burgos 388 FW Inspector General discriminated against. These recently received a complaint from an individual claiming he had been nothare exactly the type of issues that I, as your inspector general, am charged with investigating. There was fact that the complaint was sent directly to the ing particularly unusual about this complaint other than the President of the United States. It took the complaint approximately two months to work its way from the highest level of the down to my office. And by the way, I investigated the complaint myself. Had the complainant used the proper chain of command, those two months could have been spent investigating and resolving his ' the complaint. issue rather than Military and civilian employees have an obligation to promptly report any wrongdoing including obliviolations of law, fraud, waste and abuse, misconduct or abuse of authority. However, they are also gated to report these issues through the proper chain of command. Your chain of command is designed for easy flow of information, quick action and swift resolution I ief down-channeli- ng of any problems If you do not believe your chain of command has addressed the issue properly, the 388th Fighter Wing Office of the Inspector General can step in by providing an alternate path between individuals and their commanders. The IGs objective is to address concerns in a fair, objective and credible fashion. After you have attempted to reach resolution through your chain of command. Chain of command is where the action happens. Against Drinking and Driving (AADD) Points of Contact Ismael Burgos Jr. - Inspector General Master Sgt Eugene Romero - Chief, IG ComplaintsFW&A Lt Col 586-223- 0 (office) 888-454-18- 66 3 Member is responsible for full reimbursement to e rescues. A ADD of cab fares incurred for free. are rescues On base 388th Fighter WingIG Building 120, Suite 109 777-362- AFB Airmen Mill off-bas- (Pager) 841-107- 3 (Cel!) Hidden Heroes... Name: Jennifer Fukunaga Rank: Airman 1st Class Job: Commanders Support Staff Unit: 388th Component Repair Squadron Time in Service: 2 years Goals: To get my doctorate psychology in Most recent accomplishment: Being only two class es away from getting my Community College of the Air Force degree. 'Tr v. f v i ' '- ' First place, small commercial-enterpris- e newspaper 1997 and 1998 Air Combat Command Contest Editorial Staff Col. John Weida Capt. Erin Shuler Staff Sgt. Brian Baht et Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston Commander CliieJ, Public Ajjairs Command Information Chief. Command Information assistant 1 filler Cl Will i is .1 supplement to the llilhup hums. published by Moi Medi.i Inc . a prrv.de lirm in I no way connected with the U S Air boice. undei exclusive written conduct with the Ogden Air ogisiics an uulhoned boice is publicaAir commcrci.il Tins Oirice Allurrs Public enterpnse newspnpei Center tion lor members ol the U S military semces S GovContents ol igdci Cumins aie not necessunly the ol Huai v lews ol. or endorsed by the U all otherwise indicated, Unless boice An the ol ernment. the Department ol Delense or the Dep.n Intent U S borce Air are photos photos builder Country is edited prepared and provided by the IXXlh biyhler Wing Public Allairs Oil ice. 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